In Battle Through the Heavens, lying down makes you stronger.

Chapter 20 Accompanying Xun'er on a Night Stroll Through the Market

Xiao Ran put his arm around Xiao Yan's shoulder and explained gently,

"Hey kid, can't you broaden your perspective a bit?"

"You are a genius destined to become a true alchemist!"

"Think about it carefully. Right now, in the entire Xiao family, besides me, where are you going to get so many gold coins?"

"With my gold coin support, you will be able to learn alchemy smoothly."

"Becoming a first- or second-grade alchemist, or even higher, is just around the corner! Back then, if you wanted gold coins, they'd come pouring in!"

"The purpose of setting this interest rate for you now is to put appropriate pressure on you, motivating you to learn alchemy!"

Xiao Yan frowned and thought for a moment, then puffed out his chest and nodded proudly.

"That's right! I, Xiao Yan, am destined to become a top-tier alchemist!"

The old man in Xiao Yan's ring sighed and rubbed his forehead in exasperation.

Well, my disciple has been fooled by Xiao Ran's motivational rhetoric again and lost his bearings!

However, he did not speak up to remind Xiao Yan that some things, he could not understand the dangers of the world without experiencing them himself.

Xiao Ran patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder and encouraged him, "It's good that you understand your brother's good intentions!"

"Of course, if you can't handle this kind of pressure, I won't force you!"

As he spoke, Xiao Ran made a gesture as if to put the purple-gold card back into his storage ring.

Xiao Yan quickly stepped forward and grasped Xiao Ran's hands with both of his, speaking righteously and earnestly.

"How could I?! Ran-ge, you're doing this for my own good! Of course I won't let you down!"

"I'm definitely borrowing this money!"

"Not forcing me?"

"Never force anyone!"

"What about the interest rate?"

"Ran-ge is doing this to motivate me. So, according to you, five outings and twenty returns!"

"Well done! I believe in you!"

Xiao Ran shoved the bank card into Xiao Yan's hand and then extended his palm.

Xiao Yan understood and raised his hand to give Xiao Ran three high-fives!

"Ran-ge! Look how hard I've tried!"

Having said that, Xiao Yan turned and left, full of fighting spirit.

Just as they reached the courtyard gate, Xiao Ran's voice came from behind them.

"Oh, right, Emperor Yan, I forgot to tell you."

"This gold card contains 500,000 gold coins. According to our agreement, it's 50% out and 20% back, meaning you're lending me 1 million gold coins, and I'll repay a total of 2 million gold coins by this time next year!"

With a "plop".

As soon as he reached the courtyard gate, Xiao Yan collapsed to the ground.

The two shoes flew high into the air.

Xiao Ran shook his head helplessly.

"Sigh! Young people like you, your mentality is unstable, you still need to be tempered and trained more."

Ignoring Xiao Yan, who was glaring at him, he looked up at the sky.

"By now, Xun'er should have almost finished her cultivation, right?"

Just as she was thinking this, Xiao Xun'er, dressed in a golden embroidered dress and with her long black hair reaching her hips, gracefully walked into the courtyard.

"Xun'er, you're here!" Xiao Ran's eyes lit up, and he greeted her with a smile.

"Brother Xiao Ran!"

Xiao Xun'er smiled and nodded to Xiao Ran, then looked curiously at Xiao Yan lying on the ground by the courtyard gate, walked to Xiao Ran's side and naturally took his arm.

"Brother Xiao Ran, what's wrong with him?"

Before Xiao Ran could speak, Xiao Yan quickly got up from the ground and said,

"Miss Xun'er, I'm fine. I was just tired and thought I'd lie down and rest for a bit."

"Now that you're here, I won't disturb you and Ran-ge any longer!"

After saying that, Xiao Yan rushed out of the courtyard gate.

He didn't forget to turn back, pick up his two shoes, and take them with him.

Xiao Xun'er covered her mouth and giggled.

"Hehe, Xiao Ran, hehe, did you bully him again?"

Xiao Ran shrugged innocently.

"No way! I was just giving him a little push on his path!"

Xiao Xun'er didn't care too much about this matter. In the entire Xiao family, there was only one person she cared about, and that was Xiao Ran.

"Brother Xiao Ran, shall we begin our cultivation now?"

Looking at Xiao Xun'er's serious expression, Xiao Ran was deeply moved.

He used such lies to deceive the young Xiao Xun'er.

Later, Xiao Xun'er gradually discovered it as well.

But she didn't say it out loud. Perhaps in her heart, this was a unique way of being together that belonged only to the two of them.

Xiao Ran slowly shook his head and reached out to stroke Xiao Xun'er's soft hair.

"I heard Xun'er has been cultivating all afternoon. Haven't you had dinner yet? How about I treat you to dinner?"

Xiao Xun'er's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and she nodded repeatedly.

"Okay! Okay!"

However, she then pouted and slightly furrowed her brows.

"But wouldn't this delay Brother Xiao Ran's cultivation?"

Xiao Ran smiled and said, "There are many methods of cultivation, and besides, it's not something that can be accomplished overnight!"

"Come on! I'll take you to get something delicious!"

With that, Xiao Ran took Xiao Xun'er's hand and ran quickly toward the courtyard gate.

"Giggle giggle~~~!"

The air was filled with the sounds of a girl's happy laughter.

……

The largest market town in Utan.

This market is located in the bustling center of Wutan City and is jointly operated by the Xiao family, the Jialie family, and the Otto family.

Xiao Ran brought Xiao Xun'er here, and the two strolled hand in hand along the bustling street.

The market was brightly lit, with shops and vendors lining the streets.

There are vendors selling food, herbs, magic cores, clothes, jewelry, weapons, and so on—you name it.

Suddenly, Xiao Ran noticed that Xiao Xun'er's gaze was fixed on a candied hawthorn skewer being carried by a vendor.

Xiao Ran understood immediately and stepped forward to snatch the handle of the candied hawthorn from the vendor's shoulder.

He took out a gold coin and tossed it to the vendor.

"Keep the change, please!"

The vendor clearly recognized Xiao Ran, and bowed repeatedly to express his gratitude as he looked at the gold coins in his hand.

"Thank you, Young Master Xiao Ran! Thank you, Young Master Xiao Ran!"

Xiao Ran ignored the vendor's gratitude and went straight to Xiao Xun'er with the candied hawthorn skewers on his shoulder.

He took a string of candied hawthorns from the handle and handed it to Xiao Xun'er.

"Come on, Xun'er, have a taste!"

Xiao Xun'er happily accepted the candied hawthorn, her beautiful eyes crinkling into crescent moons with laughter.

"Thank you so much, Brother Xiao Ran! But buying so many items for just one gold coin, aren't you losing out big time, Brother Xiao Ran?"

"Why are you being so polite with me!" Xiao Ran said nonchalantly, carrying his candied hawthorns.

"Besides, what does it matter as long as Xun'er is happy?"

Xiao Xun'er smiled shyly upon hearing this.

Then, holding a candied hawthorn, slowly savor its perfectly balanced sweet and sour taste.

"Besides, I just lent that kid Xiao Yan a loan at a high interest rate today, so don't worry!"

"Xun'er, you can spend your money without worry from now on! Your brother Xiao Ran is a rich man now!"

"If he doesn't have the money, I'll find a way to lend him a few more loans at exorbitant interest rates!"

"Hehe, Brother Xiao Ran, you're so naughty! But that Xiao Yan is really interesting!" Xiao Xun'er said with a smile.

"No, he's just a little bit of a chuunibyou (a person with delusions of grandeur)!"

Xiao Ran pulled Xiao Xun'er along as they continued walking.

Xiao Xun'er tilted her head and asked, puzzled.

"Brother Xiao Ran, what does 'chuunibyou' mean?"

"Um... well, you mean he's a bit slow-witted..."

"Hehe, I see! But Brother Xiao Ran is right, it is indeed a bit..."

"That's right, you don't even look at me..."

"..."

The two continued walking, but neither noticed anything.

Not far from where the two had been standing,

In front of a magic core stall.

A person shrouded in black robes stood rooted to the spot, his eyes filled with disbelief.

His fists clenched tightly in his sleeves, and his face beneath his robes was filled with grief and indignation as he looked at the backs of Xiao Ran and Xiao Xun'er, who seemed like demonic children.

Just as he was filled with grief and indignation, the stall owner behind the stall tapped on the stall with a feather duster.

"Hey! I said, do you still want this Tier 1 wood-type magic core?"

P.S.: Two chapters per day before release, three chapters per day guaranteed after release, and other updates as per usual.

(End of this chapter)